Afternoon Coffee And Evening Tea

September 17, 2013

Time Goes Too Fast Tuesday

Just my feeble attempt at recapturing precious moments in time...even if just for a moment...

Pumpkin Patch 2003

Wait...this was 10 YEARS AGO?!?!

But seriously...this is one of my faves. It is framed and on my dresser. Two of my bestest things...my kids and fall...together. The only thing missing is my sweet baby Flynn...who was still waiting to join us! : )

September 15, 2013

German Apple Cake

So when a friend brings you apples fresh from the orchard and a handwritten recipe for German Apple Cake...you try it. And then you share it with your Bloggy friends. Because it is that good! Enjoy!

German Apple Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups peeled and chopped tart apples
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl, beat eggs.
Gently mix in oil and vanilla.
Add sugar. Mix well.
Add flour mixture, mix just until moistened.
Stir in apples.
Spread batter into greased 13x9 pan.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes.
Let cool.
For frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar.
Spread onto cooled cake.
Refrigerate any leftovers.

September 14, 2013

This Makes Me Happy...My Rings Fit Again!

Well...I finally did it. Flynn will be four years old in November. While I was pregnant with her, I took off my engagement and wedding rings for the obvious reason that they were fitting quite snug. And they never fit again. At all. (Now mind you, I am fine with this fact. I know that this old body of mine has been blessed to nurture and give birth to four precious souls. I gladly except that trade off as part of the blessing.)

Anyway...the months passed and became years, and I never gave my rings a second thought. Around two years ago, I came across them in a drawer and tried to ~~squeeze~~ put them on. It was then I realized that I will never be that tiny twenty one year old again. So I thought about having them resized. But of course that would mean taking them to a jeweler all the way downtown, and you all know how I am about leaving my house. I did, however, put it on my list of things to get to someday.

Well, a few weeks ago, I finally did it. Steve and I went downtown and had the nice jeweler resize my rings. I picked them recently...and am so happy that they fit! I forgot how I loved wearing them. Not because I am all about bling, because come on, we all know I am way too simple for that. But because of what they symbolize...the love and the bond that Steve and I formed all those years ago. And as a result of that love...we have four wonderful souls to cherish forever. It may seem silly, but my newly sized rings make me happy! : )

September 12, 2013

Weekend Plans...Birthday Edition

Yep. Saturday is my birthday. I don't usually make a big deal about it, but not for the usual reasons. I just like to celebrate and make a fuss over other people. I am a huge fail at letting others do the same for me though. It is a work in progress, I guess. Does any of that make sense? Moving on...

Friday it is supposed to be 55 degrees and rainy. A perfect Friday the 13th, don't you think? At least a "finally feels like fall" day. Madison and Rhett both work Friday evening, so I am planning an easy meal of fish and Kraft macaroni and cheese with broccoli before they go. The rest of us will have a quiet evening with our jammies and the television I suppose. : )

Saturday is my 44th birthday. Wow. My mom tells me her 40's were the best days of her life. I agree thus far. Things are in order. I am past the worrying about everything stage. I am calmer and more content. I have a new sense of confidence in being me and doing what I know is best for my family without worrying about what others think. I have made the best friends ever here in this bloggyworld. I have an awesome hubby and four precious babes. I am able to physically and mentally help my parents. Life is good.

Saturday we will complete our weekly jobs before attending Mass. After that, I am planning on my traditional Birthday meal of pizza and wings! I am nothing if not predictable. ; )
After that I am hoping for a quiet evening in with my family.

Sunday is a free day during the morning. I think we will have a late breakfast of some apple coffee cake...more on that later...and watch some NFL before we head out to Rhett's soccer game at 4:00. It is an away game, so we will probably stop at a neat little hamburger place on the way home. Sunday night will most likely find the females in one room watching The Miss America Pageant, while Steve and Rhett head to the den for some more football. And that's it, friends. That is what we will be doing this mid September weekend. I hope yours is cool and blessed and yummy, whatever your plans may be. Thanks for visiting!